Sermon Illustrations for Proper 15 | OT 20 (2013)
Illustration
Object:
Isaiah 5:1-7
A tennis ball in the dryer will improve the "fluffiness" of your towels. Skewer one onto the end of a broomstick, and you've got the perfect thing for cleaning scuff marks from the floor. If you slice one open, it can be a great grip for opening stubborn jar lids. You can sharpen your scissors by cutting through a few thicknesses of aluminum foil. You can make an economical ice pack by placing water and a disposable diaper in a ziploc bag and putting it in the freezer. You can put all kinds of things to uses they were not designed for. God made you for a purpose. God designed you to love him. God built you to live for the good of other people. What use are you making of yourself?
Scott B.
Isaiah 5:1-7
This lesson is part of a love song. For Martin Luther, the text reports that "the Lord had embraced this people as a mother her son" (Luther's Works, Vol. 16, p. 61). The song also refers to God expecting justice (v. 7). Augustine well describes a Christian understanding of government in light of this biblical preoccupation: "...there is no republic where there is no justice. Further, justice is that virtue which gives every one his due" (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 2, p. 414).
John Calvin makes a similar point about the purpose of government: "[It must] see to it, as all serve to do, that men breathe, eat, drink, and are kept warm..." (Institutes of the Christian Religion [Westminster Press ed.], p. 1488).
Mark E.
Isaiah 5:1-7
After three years of marriage Bethany Frankel and Hoppy divorced in 2013. Frankel is best known as a reality TV star on Real Housewives of New York City. She then went on and became a businesswoman with her Skinnygirl healthy-living lifestyle program and clothing offerings. She is also well known for being outspoken with a machete tongue. Hoppy is quiet and worked in real estate. The problems between the two dealt with in-laws, with Hoppy being close to his parents and Frankel wanting nothing to do with his family or hers. The other issue is that Frankel made an excessive amount of money more than Hoppy, which emasculated him. Frankel did invite Hoppy to work for her in the company, but Hoppy replied, "I want to work with you, not for you." With her sharp tongue Frankel retorted, "Ultimately, it's my company."
Application: Because the Israelites would not comply with God's directions, their bountiful vineyards were going to be destroyed with the removal of the protective hedge. Whenever we choose not to work with God, then we will only know destruction and sorrow.
Ron L.
Hebrews 11:29--12:2
We underestimate the power of faith. If faith can part the waters to let God's people cross the sea, what can he do for us -- if we ask him -- in faith! And look what happened to the Egyptians when they tried to cross. I heard about a pastor in Oregon who saw the great success of another pastor up there. He thought, "Well, if he can do it, why can't I?" He tried and failed. He was not putting his faith in God, but in hopes that God would give him the same success because he was another pastor. I know some who saw healings and thought they would try to heal but failed. In scripture there were some who even tried to buy the gift of healing! Faith is not something you can take for granted. It is true that Jesus said that if we asked anything in his name, he would give it. But if we ask in his name, that would imply faith.
When I was in my early forties I was still suffering from asthma. When I had Bible studies in the homes of members, I would sometimes have trouble if they had pets. One of my parishioners, Clara Peterson, was crippled with arthritis so badly that she had to wear slippers, but she offered to pray for my asthma and I was healed of it and still have no trouble over 40 years later! I always wondered why she was not healed. I have always wondered why some are healed and not others. It is certainly not because they are more sinful or less deserving! In my case I felt it was Clara's faith that healed me, as I had my doubts until I realized my healing over the next few days and weeks.
In Egypt's case they had no faith and went ahead on their own and were drowned. We each have to decide if we have the faith to accomplish what God wants and not move ahead foolishly.
There is a long list of others who overcame because of their faith. This passage might be telling us to test our faith. We should not give up if God does not answer the first time! I have prayed for many, and some prayers were answered in the way I asked and some were not. I often hear sports lovers say that they prayed for their team to win. One or the other had to win, so the prayers on one side or the other were answered. Whatever happened was God's will.
Look at the horrible things that happened to men of faith in that lesson! Didn't they have enough faith to avoid those painful deaths? Jesus also prayed for the pain of the cross to pass from him, but the important words were, "nevertheless, not my will but thine be done." Test your faith, but always remember to let God decide whom he will answer. Fix your eyes on Jesus!
Bob O.
Hebrews 11:29--12:2
The Green Lantern, Superman, Wonder Woman, the Incredible Hulk, Spiderman, Captain America -- superheroes in childhood stories, so enjoyed by adults also. The Bible is filled with stories of superheroes whose mission was faithful witness to the goodness of God. They faced mighty challenges and came out victorious, though not always alive. But these are real stories not fantasy stories that real people in real time can find real strength in for real combat with the dark forces. Just as children cheer on their hero, so too the Christian hero is cheered on by all those who have gone before, so as to reach the final caption of the final graphic on the last panel of life.
Mark M.
Luke 12:49-56
Though his words were directed against marriage equality, and though he was a Mormon, his wisdom should not be dismissed. Mormon apostle Boyd Packer, addressing the Church of Latter-Day Saints' 183rd Annual Conference, said, "Tolerance is a virtue, but, like all virtues, when exaggerated it transforms itself into a vice." He went on to say, "We need to be careful of the 'tolerance trap' so that we are not swallowed up in it."
Application: A virtue can become a vice if it is not properly exercised and monitored. This is what happened to the Pharisees. They allowed the beauty of God's virtuous law to become a vice of adherence and obedience.
Ron L.
Luke 12:49-56
Jesus' teachings on the end of the word remind us that the word of God and the world as we know it today are in tension. The world as we know it needs challenging. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 1 in 10 of us is depressed. To these trends the eminent modern theologian Karl Barth assures us that the gospel changes the world as we know it:
"The continuation shows that, in the word about first on the earth, the great boundary constituted by the Cross is not forgotten but considered and reckoned with... The real world is attacked by Jesus Christ and testimony of Jesus Christ. It is victoriously attacked... It is the same world, yet not the same" (Church Dogmatics, Vol. I/2, p. 680).
Eminent Catholic priest and social commentator Richard Neuhaus makes a similar point: "Whether 'in season or out of season,' those who propose Christian truth must always cultivate the courage to be countercultural. Until our Lord returns in glory, we will be wrestling with what it means to be in the world but not of the world."
The gospel says "no" to the world as it is for the sake of a more wonderful "yes" than we can imagine!
Mark E.
Luke 12:49-56
Sometimes we cheat. We'll be reading a book, getting lost in the story, getting attached to the characters, worrying about what will happen to them, when it occurs to us that their future is in our hands -- literally. We can flip ahead a few pages or go right to the final chapter and know the future now. We have that power. We can know who makes it. We can know who did it. We can know who ends up together and who are separated forever. We do not, however, hold our own future in our hands. We can't flip ahead and know all the answers, but we do know what's on the last page. Jesus lives. Jesus wins. We end up together with our Lord forever.
Scott B.
A tennis ball in the dryer will improve the "fluffiness" of your towels. Skewer one onto the end of a broomstick, and you've got the perfect thing for cleaning scuff marks from the floor. If you slice one open, it can be a great grip for opening stubborn jar lids. You can sharpen your scissors by cutting through a few thicknesses of aluminum foil. You can make an economical ice pack by placing water and a disposable diaper in a ziploc bag and putting it in the freezer. You can put all kinds of things to uses they were not designed for. God made you for a purpose. God designed you to love him. God built you to live for the good of other people. What use are you making of yourself?
Scott B.
Isaiah 5:1-7
This lesson is part of a love song. For Martin Luther, the text reports that "the Lord had embraced this people as a mother her son" (Luther's Works, Vol. 16, p. 61). The song also refers to God expecting justice (v. 7). Augustine well describes a Christian understanding of government in light of this biblical preoccupation: "...there is no republic where there is no justice. Further, justice is that virtue which gives every one his due" (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 2, p. 414).
John Calvin makes a similar point about the purpose of government: "[It must] see to it, as all serve to do, that men breathe, eat, drink, and are kept warm..." (Institutes of the Christian Religion [Westminster Press ed.], p. 1488).
Mark E.
Isaiah 5:1-7
After three years of marriage Bethany Frankel and Hoppy divorced in 2013. Frankel is best known as a reality TV star on Real Housewives of New York City. She then went on and became a businesswoman with her Skinnygirl healthy-living lifestyle program and clothing offerings. She is also well known for being outspoken with a machete tongue. Hoppy is quiet and worked in real estate. The problems between the two dealt with in-laws, with Hoppy being close to his parents and Frankel wanting nothing to do with his family or hers. The other issue is that Frankel made an excessive amount of money more than Hoppy, which emasculated him. Frankel did invite Hoppy to work for her in the company, but Hoppy replied, "I want to work with you, not for you." With her sharp tongue Frankel retorted, "Ultimately, it's my company."
Application: Because the Israelites would not comply with God's directions, their bountiful vineyards were going to be destroyed with the removal of the protective hedge. Whenever we choose not to work with God, then we will only know destruction and sorrow.
Ron L.
Hebrews 11:29--12:2
We underestimate the power of faith. If faith can part the waters to let God's people cross the sea, what can he do for us -- if we ask him -- in faith! And look what happened to the Egyptians when they tried to cross. I heard about a pastor in Oregon who saw the great success of another pastor up there. He thought, "Well, if he can do it, why can't I?" He tried and failed. He was not putting his faith in God, but in hopes that God would give him the same success because he was another pastor. I know some who saw healings and thought they would try to heal but failed. In scripture there were some who even tried to buy the gift of healing! Faith is not something you can take for granted. It is true that Jesus said that if we asked anything in his name, he would give it. But if we ask in his name, that would imply faith.
When I was in my early forties I was still suffering from asthma. When I had Bible studies in the homes of members, I would sometimes have trouble if they had pets. One of my parishioners, Clara Peterson, was crippled with arthritis so badly that she had to wear slippers, but she offered to pray for my asthma and I was healed of it and still have no trouble over 40 years later! I always wondered why she was not healed. I have always wondered why some are healed and not others. It is certainly not because they are more sinful or less deserving! In my case I felt it was Clara's faith that healed me, as I had my doubts until I realized my healing over the next few days and weeks.
In Egypt's case they had no faith and went ahead on their own and were drowned. We each have to decide if we have the faith to accomplish what God wants and not move ahead foolishly.
There is a long list of others who overcame because of their faith. This passage might be telling us to test our faith. We should not give up if God does not answer the first time! I have prayed for many, and some prayers were answered in the way I asked and some were not. I often hear sports lovers say that they prayed for their team to win. One or the other had to win, so the prayers on one side or the other were answered. Whatever happened was God's will.
Look at the horrible things that happened to men of faith in that lesson! Didn't they have enough faith to avoid those painful deaths? Jesus also prayed for the pain of the cross to pass from him, but the important words were, "nevertheless, not my will but thine be done." Test your faith, but always remember to let God decide whom he will answer. Fix your eyes on Jesus!
Bob O.
Hebrews 11:29--12:2
The Green Lantern, Superman, Wonder Woman, the Incredible Hulk, Spiderman, Captain America -- superheroes in childhood stories, so enjoyed by adults also. The Bible is filled with stories of superheroes whose mission was faithful witness to the goodness of God. They faced mighty challenges and came out victorious, though not always alive. But these are real stories not fantasy stories that real people in real time can find real strength in for real combat with the dark forces. Just as children cheer on their hero, so too the Christian hero is cheered on by all those who have gone before, so as to reach the final caption of the final graphic on the last panel of life.
Mark M.
Luke 12:49-56
Though his words were directed against marriage equality, and though he was a Mormon, his wisdom should not be dismissed. Mormon apostle Boyd Packer, addressing the Church of Latter-Day Saints' 183rd Annual Conference, said, "Tolerance is a virtue, but, like all virtues, when exaggerated it transforms itself into a vice." He went on to say, "We need to be careful of the 'tolerance trap' so that we are not swallowed up in it."
Application: A virtue can become a vice if it is not properly exercised and monitored. This is what happened to the Pharisees. They allowed the beauty of God's virtuous law to become a vice of adherence and obedience.
Ron L.
Luke 12:49-56
Jesus' teachings on the end of the word remind us that the word of God and the world as we know it today are in tension. The world as we know it needs challenging. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 1 in 10 of us is depressed. To these trends the eminent modern theologian Karl Barth assures us that the gospel changes the world as we know it:
"The continuation shows that, in the word about first on the earth, the great boundary constituted by the Cross is not forgotten but considered and reckoned with... The real world is attacked by Jesus Christ and testimony of Jesus Christ. It is victoriously attacked... It is the same world, yet not the same" (Church Dogmatics, Vol. I/2, p. 680).
Eminent Catholic priest and social commentator Richard Neuhaus makes a similar point: "Whether 'in season or out of season,' those who propose Christian truth must always cultivate the courage to be countercultural. Until our Lord returns in glory, we will be wrestling with what it means to be in the world but not of the world."
The gospel says "no" to the world as it is for the sake of a more wonderful "yes" than we can imagine!
Mark E.
Luke 12:49-56
Sometimes we cheat. We'll be reading a book, getting lost in the story, getting attached to the characters, worrying about what will happen to them, when it occurs to us that their future is in our hands -- literally. We can flip ahead a few pages or go right to the final chapter and know the future now. We have that power. We can know who makes it. We can know who did it. We can know who ends up together and who are separated forever. We do not, however, hold our own future in our hands. We can't flip ahead and know all the answers, but we do know what's on the last page. Jesus lives. Jesus wins. We end up together with our Lord forever.
Scott B.
